BONNYVILLE - Students at Dr. Bernard Brosseau Middle School shared their thoughts with the Board of Trustees on January 17, during the first Student/Board Engagement Session for the 2023-24 school year.
During these sessions, the board hears directly from students what is working well and opportunities for growth at their school in relation to four specific topics.
Goal One: Faith Identity
Once or twice a year, students are transported to St. Louis Parish, time they appreciate spending at the church, growing deeper in their faith. They would like to see additional opportunities to attend mass or liturgy at the parish in-person.
Students find their religious classes engaging, and are eager for teachers to implement more creative teaching methods.
The Catholic-Christian atmosphere at the school, through posters, literature, prayer, and more, was another highlight.
The school’s social justice projects, such as their Christmas fundraiser, clothing drive, and similar initiatives, are appreciated by the students, who would like even more chances to give back to their community.
Goal Two: Quality of Education that Students Receive
The quality of the division’s French Immersion program, literacy and numeracy screens, and the variety of options classes at the school were a high point for the group.
Opportunities for growth brought forward include more time for teachers to participate in collaborative response, more French speaking substitute teachers, and time outside of the classroom setting for students to get help on their schoolwork, such as study hall.
One idea shared was a division-wide science fair, which would allow students interested in science to go head-to-head in a fun atmosphere.
Goal Three: Social, Emotional, and Physical Wellbeing
Students feel they’re supported socially, emotionally, and physically at their school through the
number of extra curricular sports including volleyball, basketball, badminton, track and field, floor hockey, cross country.
Teachers also encourage participation in physical education class, and the school has recently implemented a replacement plan for gym equipment.
The division can continue to promote growth in these areas by continuing the nutrition grant funding, transitioning the school’s Family Outreach Worker to full-time, and creating more calm spaces throughout the school.
The students felt presentations from the Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre and the creation of the Kindness in Action Initiative are standout items when it comes to mental wellness.
Goal Four: Citizenship and a Safe and Caring School Environment
When it came to a safe and caring school environment, students felt practicing emergency procedures such as lockdowns and fire drills allowed them to feel more confident should there be an emergency.
Having the front doors locked when students aren’t outside provides a sense of security, and the doorbell allows front desk staff to see who is coming and going from the school.
Students also noted the Student/Board Engagement Sessions are a highlight.
“We like having our voices heard, it makes us feel important,” said one student.
The board takes the information gathered from these sessions and considers it when making decisions.
Other engagement sessions are scheduled over the next few months at École Notre Dame High School, Assumption Jr/Sr High School, Light of Christ Catholic School, and Holy Family Catholic School.